Experience with immediate and delayed mandibular reconstruction

The functional disability and cosmetic deformity after jaw and neck dissection can be very severe due to soft tissue and mandibular loss. Reconstruction of the mandible alone without soft tissue coverage can be complicated with prosthetic exposure, infection and, finally, rejection. We attempted to reconstruct the mandible at the time of tumor resection in a group of patients, using titanium mesh with marrow, rib, scapular spine, and clavicle. We used myocutaneous flaps in order to obtain intraoral coverage of the mandibular grafts. In a second group of patients, delayed reconstruction of the jaw was performed 6 months to 2 years after tumor resection. Titanium mesh prostheses were used for reconstruction of the mandible in conjunction with myocutaneous flaps for soft tissue augmentation. Osteomyocutaneous flaps were also used. The results and complications in 54 patients are presented.